Patti Sapone/The Star-LedgerImprisonment is a costly solution, and too often with nonviolent drug offenders, it is not a solution at all. Many of these individuals are leaving prison worse off than they entered it," said Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer), one of the bill's sponsors, shown in this file photo.

TRENTON — The Assembly tonight approved a bill that would launch a trial mandatory drug court program for nonviolent offenders as an alternative to serving time in prison.

If enacted, the measure (S881), which was approved by a 78-0 vote, would provide the courts discretion to admit drug offenders into the program if they have more than one conviction for a crime committed under the influence of drugs or to support an addiction. The bill also would allow drug offenders serving time or awaiting sentencing to request that their application for drug court be re-examined in light of the revised rules.

"Imprisonment is a costly solution, and too often with nonviolent drug offenders, it is not a solution at all. Many of these individuals are leaving prison worse off than they entered it," said Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer), one of the bill's sponsors. "The voluntary drug court program in New Jersey has had great success. Expanding the program will help us avoid the expense of incarceration and get these individuals on the right path to recovery."

The bill creates a two-year pilot program, to be operated in two court vicinages, according to the bill. The Administrative Office of the Courts would evaluate whether mandatory "drug court" sentencing should be offered statewide.

Gov. Chris Christie, who wants to make a statewide drug court mandatory for all nonviolent drug offender who qualify, has has criticized the Democrats’ piecemeal approach.

The Office of Legislative Services estimated the bill would cost $2.7 million in start-up costs for "one new judge team; enrollment, supervision and assessment services; centralized coordination; and drug treatment," according to the office's fiscal note. But then it would save money — $2,887 for every inmate per year diverted from the county jail and $38,380 per inmate from state prison.